Telephone based asthma management - Financial and individual benefits

Abstract

Background: Telephone based asthma management has a clinically important effect on reducing hospital readmissions. The cost and benefits to the individual have yet to be reported. The authors sought to determine the effect of a telephone based asthma self management program in terms of quality of life, self efficacy, patient acceptance and cost effectiveness. Methods: The authors calculated the cost of delivering telephone based asthma management compared to usual care. Self efficacy and quality of life were measured at recruitment, 6 months and 12 months. Participants were invited to comment on their experience of the telephone based intervention. Results: The intervention was well accepted..